optofonik
Well-known member
... I'm not the only one whose gone through this.
Let me preface all this to say that I don't have a dedicate ukulele shop near me.
I have been involved in music for quite awhile; since I was a child. I was trained in voice but I've learned the rudiments of several different instruments over the years in order to "communicate" with collaborators in "their own language". I can play enough piano, bass, drums and blow a few notes on a cornet to get my point across. However, the guitar and other chording string instruments have always been a mystery to me due to a broken left wrist set incorrectly when I was a child. Bass guitar isn't that bad as long as it's a monophonic line. As a result, keyboard instruments or bass have always been where I start my writing. Chorded string instruments have always an unreachable goal.
I recently picked up a ukulele in what I thought would be another failed attempt at a chorded string instrument. I might have been wrong. I find myself collecting chords, practicing, and driving myself to learn, unlike anything else musical in a long while. In short, the ukulele is inspiring me to put my nose to the grindstone for hours at a time. My left wrist barely bothers me; it's certainly not painful enough to make me stop. I find myself actually wanting to learn "covers"; I've never had a desire for that. Never.
My dilemma is that because I have been involved with music for so long and been blessed to work with some really good musicians whose skills are at a particular level I have a problem with poor intonation. I can recognize when something is in tune "enough"; when an audience probably won't notice. But it really isn't "enough", is it. Not for me, anyway. I'm not claiming to have perfect pitch but I think I know when something is slightly out of tune; when harmonics and overtones just aren't where they should be.
I have a Makala soprano pineapple and a regular shaped concert ukuleles and they really are great for what they are. They certainly sound good enough for camping and practicing during down time at work. If either gets busted; whatever. The problem is, I can often hear what "could be". When either one is freshly tuned they sound great, they ring out and make me want to hear and practice more. Those moments are somewhat short lived, however. After I've practiced for awhile or get high on the neck it gets disappointing. As good as they are for beginner instruments they still are what they are and it's to be expected.
So, I ordered a solid top acacia, a tenor this time; got a good deal. I'm hoping the solid top will give me an idea of "what can be" all the time; staying in tune everywhere on the neck and well into an hour of practice. As for the other two, the pineapple will certainly be a keeper because of it fits in my motorcycle's saddlebags. The concert may even be a keeper (a spare for a friend when camping). Both are inexpensive enough to easily replace. Still, I have to have ONE ukulele like I've described. Maybe the solid top will be the one. If not...
I am beginning to believe that I won't have a problem with spending the same amount of money for a good ukulele as I might spend on a good laptop. See where I'm going with this...
Let me preface all this to say that I don't have a dedicate ukulele shop near me.
I have been involved in music for quite awhile; since I was a child. I was trained in voice but I've learned the rudiments of several different instruments over the years in order to "communicate" with collaborators in "their own language". I can play enough piano, bass, drums and blow a few notes on a cornet to get my point across. However, the guitar and other chording string instruments have always been a mystery to me due to a broken left wrist set incorrectly when I was a child. Bass guitar isn't that bad as long as it's a monophonic line. As a result, keyboard instruments or bass have always been where I start my writing. Chorded string instruments have always an unreachable goal.
I recently picked up a ukulele in what I thought would be another failed attempt at a chorded string instrument. I might have been wrong. I find myself collecting chords, practicing, and driving myself to learn, unlike anything else musical in a long while. In short, the ukulele is inspiring me to put my nose to the grindstone for hours at a time. My left wrist barely bothers me; it's certainly not painful enough to make me stop. I find myself actually wanting to learn "covers"; I've never had a desire for that. Never.
My dilemma is that because I have been involved with music for so long and been blessed to work with some really good musicians whose skills are at a particular level I have a problem with poor intonation. I can recognize when something is in tune "enough"; when an audience probably won't notice. But it really isn't "enough", is it. Not for me, anyway. I'm not claiming to have perfect pitch but I think I know when something is slightly out of tune; when harmonics and overtones just aren't where they should be.
I have a Makala soprano pineapple and a regular shaped concert ukuleles and they really are great for what they are. They certainly sound good enough for camping and practicing during down time at work. If either gets busted; whatever. The problem is, I can often hear what "could be". When either one is freshly tuned they sound great, they ring out and make me want to hear and practice more. Those moments are somewhat short lived, however. After I've practiced for awhile or get high on the neck it gets disappointing. As good as they are for beginner instruments they still are what they are and it's to be expected.
So, I ordered a solid top acacia, a tenor this time; got a good deal. I'm hoping the solid top will give me an idea of "what can be" all the time; staying in tune everywhere on the neck and well into an hour of practice. As for the other two, the pineapple will certainly be a keeper because of it fits in my motorcycle's saddlebags. The concert may even be a keeper (a spare for a friend when camping). Both are inexpensive enough to easily replace. Still, I have to have ONE ukulele like I've described. Maybe the solid top will be the one. If not...
I am beginning to believe that I won't have a problem with spending the same amount of money for a good ukulele as I might spend on a good laptop. See where I'm going with this...